Big Run not likely to hire part-time police officer

BIG RUN — Big Run Council received word at Monday's meeting that the chances of hiring a part-time police officer for the borough are pretty slim.

Big Run Mayor Joe Buterbaugh said that he spoke with Sykesville borough officials, and that the only thing they could help Big Run with is selling the borough a used police cruiser.

Buterbaugh said it's quite expensive to hire an officer.

"We'd be only foolish to think we can afford one," Buterbaugh said, adding that to begin with, the borough would have to pay for the officer to go through approximately 800 hours of training.

"After you pay for that, we'd have that person for about a year, because we wouldn't be able to pay him or her that much," he said. "By the end of the first year, they'd be gone."

Buterbaugh said all council would like to do is stop motorists from driving 60 mph through the borough.

Nick Lantz, council president, said there has to be some type of assistance out there to help small boroughs to hire a police officer.
"I know the economy is tough, but there are other municipalities who are obtaining funding for various projects," Lantz said. "We'll just have to keep looking for funding, there has to be some kind of grant available to help the borough with hiring a part time police officer.

Also, at Monday's meeting, council:

• Approved a motion for council member Rick Rinehart to purchase an inline compact garbage disposal at a cost of $180.

Denise Elliott, council member, voted against the purchase.

Lantz said that maintenance man Marlin Rearick was to install the disposal in the kitchen of the Big Run War Memorial as soon as it's purchased.

• Approved a motion to purchase and install six new posts for the fence around the ball field at Veterans' Park at a cost not to exceed $250.

• Approved the lease agreement with Jefferson County to hold the election Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the War Memorial as a precinct.

• Approved a motion to approve all of the borough's insurance policies with an increase of $50.